Description
These Baked Chicken Meatballs are a healthy, flavorful dish featuring lean ground chicken combined with herbs and spices, baked to perfection, and served with a refreshing homemade dill yogurt sauce. Perfect as a light main course or appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound lean ground chicken
- ¼ cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons finely diced yellow onion (or shredded)
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Yogurt Sauce
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (plus more for garnish)
- 1 cup non-fat plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Prep. Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or a baking sheet with cooking spray and set it aside to prepare for the meatballs.
- Combine the meatball ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, add the ground chicken, panko bread crumbs, minced garlic, diced onion, dried thyme, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix thoroughly with your hands or a spoon until all ingredients are evenly combined, ensuring the seasoning is well distributed throughout the meat.
- Shape the meatballs. Using your hands, form the mixture into meatballs about 1 ½ inches in diameter. Place each meatball evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet or dish, so they bake evenly.
- Bake. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the meatballs for 16 to 20 minutes, or until they are fully cooked through and no longer pink inside (internal temperature should reach 165ºF). Once done, remove the meatballs from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes to settle juices.
- Prepare the yogurt sauce. While the meatballs bake, prepare the sauce by mixing minced garlic, salt, black pepper, chopped fresh dill, non-fat plain yogurt, and extra virgin olive oil in a small bowl. Stir well until all ingredients are fully incorporated. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed to enhance flavor.
- Serve. Transfer the rested chicken meatballs to a serving platter. Spoon the dill yogurt sauce generously over the meatballs and garnish with extra chopped fresh dill for a fresh, aromatic finish. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute panko bread crumbs with gluten-free bread crumbs if desired.
- Ensure the meatballs are cooked thoroughly to avoid any food safety concerns with ground chicken.
- The yogurt sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to one day.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the meatball mixture or sauce.
- These meatballs are great served with rice, salad, or in a pita bread for a sandwich.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: baked chicken meatballs, healthy meatballs, chicken recipes, baked meatballs, yogurt sauce, dill sauce, lean chicken recipes
